For most of my life I have believed that Jesus’ words, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48), were either hyperbole from Jesus, or a mistake in the transcribing of the Bible. It occurred to me that no one knew better than he the universality of human imperfection.

From one struggle after another with the revelation of my own imperfections, and the subsequent renewal of friendship with the One without imperfection, I have changed my mind, and now think that Jesus’ words were both an invitation and a map for a life journey.

They are an invitation, not to become complacent with our own imagined “Perfections,” but to recognize that perfection is in our spiritual family, and that we can be participants. Every time we accept forgiveness from God His perfection becomes part of us, for we have accepted His Character. Jesus certainly knew this, and that we would be able to know it after his resurrection.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Perfection lies only in God, who in His great love, has lavished upon us, His creation, the forgiveness that unites us to Him in all His perfection.

I once dreamed that my father, who had died two years earlier, said to me, “I want Stephanie (our teen-aged daughter) to have some of my duds.,” and he handed me a “Good News” Bible. In the morning I went to a bookstore to find such a Bible, and at first was told that there were none in the store except an expensive leather- bound edition. As I left the store I noticed a rack near the door with a denim covered paper backed book and I inquired about it. “It is a ‘Good News’ Bible,” I was told. We carry it for teenagers. Even high school football players come in to buy this one. It’s the only one left.” I joyfully bought it and gave it to Stephanie, who took to it right away, and it went with her to college. Some time later I told her about the dream.

Jesus never tells us to do that which cannot be done. Staying close to him is all that is required to end the struggle.

Love in Him,

Prue